Mechanical pencil



, 1944. P. s. HAUTON MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed Nov. 15, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 1 m T N E V m P. S. HAUTON MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed NOV. 13,1941 Dec. 19, 1944.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 KNVENTOR PAUL s HATQN Patented Dec. 19, 1944 macnamcar.PENCIL Paul S. Hauton, Atlanta, Ga., assignor to Scripto ManufacturingCompany, Atlanta, Ga., a cornotation of Georgia Application November13,1941, Serial No. 418,874

* 12 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanical pencils and has more particularreference to screw operated mechanical pencils having chambers forstoring reserve leads.

This application is a continuation in part of the application of Paul S.Hauton, Serial No. 259,535.

One of the objects of the invention is to minimize the possibility ofclogging the leadmoving mechanism by broken lead or other extraneousobjects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. simplified arrangementfor confining the spare leads to reserve storage spaces or chambers andto render the storag space accessible when desired.

Another object of the invention is to render visible certain parts ofthe lead moving mechanism while concealing some of the other parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified arrangementof lead grip sleeve and ejector to minimize possible damage to theparts.

Other and further objects will be pointed out or will become apparent toone skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

comprehensively stated, the invention comprises feed mechanism includinga shielded screw member, the shielding serving, together with mechanismclosing off the end of the lead reserve chamber, to confine the spareleads to the reserve chambers which in the preferred. embodinmt aremolded in forming the barrel or housing so as to communicate with someof its longitudinal bores and thereby prevent lead from entering andinterfering with the normal operation of the lead feeding mechanism, theshielding also serving to partly conceal some of the lead feedingmechanism and leaving some of the lead feeding parts visible through atleast a part of the barrel, when the barrel as shown in its preferredform is formed of transparent or translucent moldable material.

More specifically stated, the invention comprises a pair of slottedtubes, onopposite sides of a helix, the slots permitting the lugs of theejector mechanism and lead grip sleeve mechanism to engage alongitudinal slot in the molded barrel, the tube surrounding the helixserving as a partition between the helix and the chambers for reserveleads and partly concealing the operating mechanism when the barrel orcasing is formed of transparent or translucent material and means forindicating the position of the lead grip sleev visible at least througha part of the transparent or translucent barrel in the region of theback and forth movement of the indicating means. The end of the seam ofthe seamed tubular lead grip sleeve adjacent to the lead ejectingmechanism is offset from the lug of the lead ejector pin so as to avoidopening the tubular lead grip sleeve along its seam when the ejectormechanism strikes'the end of the lead grip sleeve. The reserve leads arefurther confined to their chambers by a door or gate arrangementaffording access to some of the reserve lead chambers and rotatable soas to afford access to other reserve lead chambers in the event thatreserve lead chambers on the opposite side of the pencil are used as iscontemplated.

The invention comprises various combinations and sub-combmations of theinvention generally and specifically outlined.

While one embodiment of this invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodimentmerely serves as an illustration of th underlying principles of theinvention so that it may be readily comprehended by those skilled in theart, and is not intended as limiting the invention to the specificdetails disclosed therein.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the assembled pencil, including atransparent or translucent barrel.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the inventionpartly sectioned and partlyfragmentary.

Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 1 on the line 33.

Fig. 4 is a. section of Fig. 9,011 the line 4-4.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of one of the lead moving parts.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lead moving part shown inFig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section in part of the pencil shown in Fig. 2, rotated Fig.8 is an end elevation of the pencil parts at the eraser end of thepencil with the eraser ferrule and its eraser removed.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 8 with the eraserferrule and its eraser removed.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the lead grip sleeve and ejector pinpartly fragmentary.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the elements shown in Fig. 10, alsopartly fragmentary.

Fig. 12 is a section of Fig. 11 on the line lZ-IZ, and

Fig. 13 is an end elevation of a modified form of the arrangement shownin Fig. 8.

end with a preferably rigid lead guide tip B. The barrel has alongitudinal axial bore B to re ceive the lead moving mechanism with apinof the pencil barrel A from which end access to the lead reserves isobtained as will be more fully described hereinafter. The barrel A whichhouses the lead moving mechanism preferably consists of a transparent ortranslucent material so that the position of some of the lead movingparts can be readily determined by visual inspection particularly whenthe arrangement which will be described more fully hereinafter is usedwith this type of barrel material.

The lead moving mechanism includes an open threaded helix D formed bycoiling a flat strip of material to requisite shape, the helix terminating in a stub end D for facilitating pick up of the lead grip sleeve,with a seamed tubular lead grip sleeve E and an ejector pin Flongitudinally slidable therein, the lead grip sleeve having a helixengaging lug G and the ejector pin having a helix engaging lug H, bothlugs passing through the turns of the open threaded helix D andconstrained to move longitudinally of the barrel by sliding in alongitudinal slot J formed contiguous to the bore in the barrel A. Onrotation of the helix relatively to the barrel, both lugs movelongitudinally of the barrel maintaining their spacing so that theejector is in retracted position with respect to the lead grip sleeve.When the lead grip sleeve reaches the end of its stroke at the writingend on the pencil its lug disengages from the helix D. On continuedrotation of the helix in lead advancing direction the ejector pin lugadvances and elects the lead from the lead grip sleeve. In order todivide the spare lead receiving chambers C and C from the helix and tosimultaneously conceal most of the helix without interfering with thetravel of the lead grip sleeve lugs G and H in the longitudinal slot J,a sleeve K having a narrow longitudinal slot or slit L surrounds with aloose running fit the helix D, the slot L registering with thelongitudinal lug guide slot J to permit the lugs G and H to engage saidlongitudinal slot and to be moved back and forth in the pencil as thehelix is rotated. In order to avoid short pieces of lead from workinginto the operating mechanism from the inside of the helix D and toinsure proper alignment of short pieces of lead so that on the forwardstroke the lead will properly enter the bore of tip B a similarshielding sleeve M having a. longitudinal slit or slot N has a looserunning fit against the inside of the helix D, the slot N permitting thelugG of the lead grip sleeve and the lug H of the ejector pin to ridetherein. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the helix Dis shielded both on the inside and on the outside, each sleeve havinglongitudinal slits in registry with each other and with the slot J whichpermits the lugs to move longitudinally back and forth when the helix Dis rotated. The sleeve K is anchored to the barrel A by 8. lug Kengaging a slot K" at the eraser end of the barrel. In

order that the maximum shielding of the helix sleeves are comparativelynarrow and so that the lugs G and it may travel freely in this narrowslit, the necks of lugs G and H are narrowed at P and Q respectively. Topermit "free riding of the lugs G and H without damage to the walls ofthe slot J, the lugs have embossed or smooth- 1y raised sections B.These sections may be formed in any convenient manner as for instance bystriking out the wall ot-the lugs G and utilizing the cylindrical shapeof the ejector pin lug F as will be readily understood. The lead gripsleeve E is shaped from a blank into cylindrical iorm having a. seam andin order to prevent the lug H of the ejector pin 1 which is in alignmentwith the lead grip sleeve lug G from striking the meeting edges of scamS of the lead grip sleeve, the meeting edges of seam S are ofiset at theend of the lead grip sleeve adjacent the elector pin lug so that themeeting edges of the seem at this point are not in line with the ejectdrpin lug and the lead grip sleeve lug. This ofisetting of the end oftheseam meeting edges is effected by suitably cutting the lead grip sleeveblank as will be readily understood so that one end or the seam isangularly disposed with respect to the seam in the region 01' the leadgrip sleeve lugs. The lead grip sleeve lug G is formed by cutting twoopposite ears in the blank prior to forming the tubular lead gripsleeve. The abutting ears forming the'lead grip sleeve lug are alignedwith the ejector pin lug in the pencil. As heretofore stated the ejectorpin F moves relatively to the lead grip sleeve E when the lead gripsleeve lug G is arrested by striking the lower end of the slot J. If therotation of the helix is continued the ejector pin lug H moves towardthe lug G after the latter is arrested until the lug H strikes the topof the lead grip sleeve E which is not seamed at the striking point anddanger of opening and distortion is avoided. The slot J is of suflicientlength so that the lead grip sleeve lug at the forward end of its strokeclears the may be eifected the slits in the shielding 1c in helix D. Inorder to insure proper pick-up of the ejector lug G by the retractilemovement of the ejector pin, the ejector pin is slotted at T to providea shoulder T' adapted to engage the nose of the member U formed upon thelead grip sleeve E so that the lead grip sleeve will of necessityaccompany the ejector pin at the proper time and will enter the helixfacilitated by the specially shaped and D' of the last helix turn.

The cam shaped and D of the last helix turn also permits the use of thelongest possible movement of the ejector pin F in the lead carrier H. Incase lug G should try to enter the helix because the lugs happen to beat minimum spacing, the cam shaped end D will push the lug away so thatit will enter on the next turn of the helix when the lugs will be atmaximum spacing. The general arrangement of lead carrier E and electorpin F are the same as described in my Patent No. 2,265,162, except thatin the present invention both lugs travel in the same guide slot orchannel.

As is well understood the.rotation of helix D moves the lugs G and Hback and forth depending on the direction of itsirotation. In order topositively rotate the helix a driving cap V is locked to the helix D byproviding an opening W in the helix engaged by 9. lug W suitably formedin the driving cap V. A cylindrical eraser ferrule X rides on theperiphery of the cylindrical reduced end X formed at the eraser end ofbarrel A and is in frictional engagement with the dependent skirt of thedriving cap V which rides a further reduced end or the casing A at theaccuse eraser end of the pencil. In order that the driving cap mayberotatably held on the barrel A the driving cap has a detent engaging anannular groove V' formed in the casing near its eraser end. 1

To provide convenient access to the lead reserve chambers C and C and toclose off the ends of the spare lead receiving chambers independently ofthe eraser ferrule, a semi-circular tiltable gate or door Y is pivotedat Y in bearings conveniently formed with the driving sleeve V so thatthe free end of the gate may be swung up to expose the open ends of thespare lead receiving chambers when access to the chambers is desired andthe eraser ferrule is removed. This gate or door is locked in closedposition by the spring latch Z having a cam nose adapted to engage thedoor and formed with or secured to the driving can by a curved cam nosesuppor arm. The gate serves to cover an opening in the driving sleeveadapted to register with the open end of one of the spare lead chambersat one side of the barrel, the spare lead chambers on the other side ofthe barrel being closed off by the extended portion or covering wings Z"of a lug carried by the driving cap V and locking with one end of thehelix D. Since the gate is pivoted in diametrically opposite bearingsextending upwardly from the driving cap V, the gate Y will rotate aboutthe axis of the pencil simultaneously with the helix engaging lug andits win-gs Z" covering the diametrically opposite lead reserve chambers.If it is desired to obtain access to the lead reserve chambers the endsof which are closed off by the helix engaging lug wings Z", the drivingcap may be rotated so that the gate Y is positioned over the leadreserve chambers previously closed off by the extended portions or wingsof the helix engaging lug, the latter extended portions thereuponclosing off the lead reserve chambers previously accessible by liftingthe gate Y. In order to prevent accidental opening of the gate Y whilethe eraser ferrule is in place the end of the gate Y has a dependentferrule interlocking lug Z at it free end forming a sufliciently wideferrule abutting face so that the door cannot rotate about its pivotpoints until the ferrule is removed.

A marker element I4 preferably of contrasting color to facilitatedetermination of the working length of the pencil lead is slippedbetween lugs G and H and is short enough so as not to interfere with theoperation of the ejector pin lug. This marker element is preferablyslidable in the slot J but will normally take an abutting positionagainst the lug G when the pencil is held in writing position.

In the alternative arrangement for closing off the open ends of thespare lead reserve chambers shown in Fig. 13 a cover plate or gate Y ispivoted at Y to cover the open ends of the chamber C and on rotation ofthe hinge Y with the driving cap V to take a position closing oil theopen ends of the spare lead reserve chambers C in a manner similar tothat shown in Fig. 8 and described in connection therewith. The coverplate or gate Y instead of rotating about an axis at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the pencil as shown in Fig. 8, in the alternativeform shown in Fig. 13 rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the pencil.

It will be noted that the arrangement of obtaining access to the reservelead chambers permits drive of the pencil while at the same timeaffording easy access to the reserve leads.

The

helix is partly surrounded by a comparatively -thin tubular memberhaving an opening along helix is similarly shielded by a similar thintubular member which has its-lower end seated in a restricted portion ofthe barrel bore so as to form a continuous opening communicating withthe opening in the lead guide tip.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 7 the pencil has a pocket clip Illlocked to the pencil by lugs H and I! which is more particularly thesubject matter of a co-pending application of Paul S. Hauton, Serial No.353,324.

' When I speak in my claims of having atransparent portion, I mean toinclude a transparent, translucentor a portion of the barrel cut away soas to render visible some of the operating mechanism.

It is claimed:

1. A mechanical pencil combining a barrel having a longitudinal bore andlug guide slot, a lead reserve chamber, the bore communicating with theslot and lead reserve chamber, a lead grip sleeve having a lug, arotatable helix in the bore, a driving cap rotatably secured to one endof the barrel, a tube having a slot surrounding the helix, the lead gripsleeve lug riding in the slot and engaging the helix turns, the slottedtube closing off one side of the lead reserve chamber, and means carriedby the driving cap for closing off the open end of the lead reservechamber.

2. A lead grip sleeve for mechanical pencils having a projecting lugwith raised sections on the side of the lug and spaced from the leadgrip sleeve to form a restricted neck and enlarged slot engaging end.

3. In a pencil the combination of a casing having a center bore with alongitudinal extending channel, lead moving mechanism in the center boreincluding a helix, a lead carrier having a lug engaging the helix andthe longitudinal channel and a thin wall slotted tube between the leadcarrier and the helix to prevent small pieces of lead from getting intothe helix.

4. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel havin a longitudinal bore and alongitudinal slot opening in said bore, a helix with spaced turnsmounted in said bore, means for rotating said helix relative to saidbarrel, a lead grip sleeve and an ejector pin within said helix, saidpin being slidable within said sleeve, said sleeve and pin havinglateral lugs in longitudinal spaced relation extending between turns ofsaid helix and into said slot, whereby turning of said helix produceslongitudinal movement of said lugs in said slot, and a lead lengthindicator slidable in said slot, positioned between said lugs.

5. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore anda longitudinal slot opening in said bore, a helix with spaced turnsmounted in said bore, means for rotating said helix relative to saidbarrel, a lead grip sleeve and an ejector pin within said helix, saidpin being slidable within said sleeve, said sleeve and pin havinglateral lugs in longitudinal spaced relation extending between turns ofsaid helix and into said slot, whereby turning of said helix produceslongitudinal movement of said lugs in said slot, and a lead lengthindicator slidable in said slot, positioned between said lugs, saidbarrel being transparent at least in the region overlying the path oftravel of said indicator.

6. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore anda longitudinal slot opening in said bore, a helix with spaced turnsmounted in said bore, means tor rotating said helix relative to saidbarrel, a lead grip sleeve and an elector pin within said helix, saidpin being slidable within said sleeve, said sleeve and pin havinglateral lugs in longitudinal spaced relation extending between turns ofsaid helix and into said slot, whereby turning of said helix produceslongitudinal movement of said lugs in said slot, said barrel beingprovided with means forming a limit stop for the pointwise movement 01said lead grip sleeve 1118, positioned below said helix, wherebyrotation of said helix subsequent to the stopping of said lead gripsleeve lug moves said ejector pin relative to said lead grip sleeve, anda lead length indicator slidable in said slot, positioned between said,lugs.

' 7. In a mechanical pencil, a, barrel having a bore and a longitudinalslot opening in said bore, a helix with spaced turns in said borerotatable relative to said barrel, longitudinally slotted tubes, onesurrounding and the other surrounded by said helix having their slots inalignment with the barrel slot, and a lead carrier reciprocable withinsaid helix having a lateral lug extending through the slots of saidtubes, the space between the turns of said helix and into said barrelslot.

8. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel, means for moving the writinglead including a rotatable helix having spaced turns, a longitudinallymovable lead carrier within said helix and having a. lug engaging thehelix turns, and tubes located on the outside and inside of the helixhaving longitudinal slots also engaged by said lug.

9. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore, alongitudinal guide slot within said bore, a helix with spaced turnsmounted in said bore, a lead grip sleeve and ejector pin within saidhelix, said pin being slidable within said sleeve, sad sleeve and pinhaving lateral lugs in changeable, longitudinal spaced relation andextending between turns of said helix and into said guide slot so thatturning of said helix produces longitudinal movement of said lugs insaid guide slot, means for stopping the pointwise movement of saidsleeve after said sleeve lug disengages from said helix so that rotationof said helix subsequent to the stopping of said sleeve lug causesmovement of the ejector pin lug from the maximum to the minimum spacedrelation of said lugs, said lead grip sleeve and ejector pin havingcooperating stop means carried solely by said lead grip sleeve andelector pin for establishing the maximum longitudinal spacing of saidlugs at a distance equal to complete turns, at least two in number, ofsaid helix and the minimum longitudinal spacing of said lugs at theshortest distance which permits restoring of said lugs to maximumlongitudinal spacing by reverse rotation of said helix before saiddisengaged lug reenters said helix.

10. it lead cag and electing mecm for mechanical pencils, comprising arotatable helix with spaced turns, a lead grip sleeve and ejector pinwithin said helix, said pin being slid= able in said sleeve said sleeveand pin having lateral lugs in changeable, longitudinal spaced relationand normally extending between complete turns, at least two in number,of said helix when both lugs are engaged by said helix, a longitudinalslot for guiding said lugs, said slot extending below said helix topermit disengagement of said lead grip sleeve lug from said helix andcooperating stops on said sleeve and pin for establishing the normal andthe minimum longitudinal spacing of said lugs, the minimum spacing beingthe shortest distance between said lugs when the sleeve lug isdisengaged from said helix which permits said helix to prevententrainment of said diseng ed lug upon resetting movement of said helixwhen said lugs are not in normal spaced relation.

11. Mechanical rpencil comprising a barrel, a helix mounted in saidbarrel having spaced turns defining a helical slot, means for rotatingsaid helix relative to said barrel, a. longitudinal guide slot withinsaid barrel, a lead grip sleeve and ejector. pin within said helix, saidpin being slidable within said sleeve, said sleeve and pin havinglateral lugs in changeable longitudinal spaced relation and extendinginto said longitudinal uide slot between the turns of said helix so thatrotation of the helix produces longitudinal movement of said lugs insaid guide slot, said guide slot extending below said helix permittingdisengagement oi said lead grip sleeve lug from said helix, the lastturn of said helix terminating in a downwardly and rearwardly inclinedface, referred to the resetting direction of movement of said helix,extending from said helical slot to the bottom of said helix forming acam engageable with said lead grip sleeve lug for rejecting said luguntil said lugs are in their relative position or maximum spacing.

12. Mechanical pencil comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore anda longitudinal slot opening into said bore, a helix with spaced turnsmounted in said bore, means for rotating. said

